THE level crossing in Ramsbottom has been given the green light for a New Year makeover after East Lancashire Railway chiefs agreed to a "long overdue" refurbishment.

The Bridge Street crossing has been the source of complaints to Ramsbottom councillors and the ELR for many years as the gradually deteriorating condition of the line forces motorists to drive over the lines at a snail's pace to avoid damage to their vehicles.

Plans have been announced for Bridge Street and the railway lines to be closed for the work to be done over four weekends, February 3-4, 10-11 and March 3-4,10-11. The work is to be a joint project between the East Lancashire Railway and Bury Council.

Ramsbottom councillor Barry Theckston, who is on the ELR board of trustees which gave the refurbishment the go-ahead, described the work as "long overdue". He said: "The crossing is going to be a lot more user-friendly for vehicles. It has been in a bad way for many years due to the timber collapsing and has become more dangerous after being pounded by the increasing traffic."

A spokeswoman for Bury Council added: "The existing timber ducting that goes across Bridge Street and which is responsible for the poor ride quality over the level crossing is to be replaced by a steel duct encased in concrete and buried below the road surface. There will also be some resurfacing works undertaken on Bridge Street, between Peel Bridge and Railway Street.

"It is anticipated that some 48-hour weekend road closures will be required in order to complete the works. At other times, works may be able to proceed with only one lane closed and under signal control. The works should be finished by April 2007."